Marc Bartra confident ahead of new La Liga season

Marc Bartra confident ahead of new La Liga season

Marc Bartra is confident of his chances to play for the first team this season under Luis Enrique, regardless of who the club sign in his position. 

The player that came from the youth system said: "All start from zero, you have to show you can play at Barca. Sure, you might have a high level and and be seen in training and in matches, but we are all pulling in the same direction."

Asked about Jeremy Mathieu specifically, Bartra replied: "He is a great player that comes from a great season in Valencia, we will see." 

Bartra says he feels "very mature, looking forward to helping the team". This is his third term in the first team. 

Bartra says he doesn't see "first-teamers and substitutes, and I think that he (Luis Enrique) doesn't either, but the players will all put a lot of work in and try to move us forward."

About his own situation, he recalled: "I've gone through it all, from where I don't play at all, then a few minutes, then I get minutes in important matches". So, "now I am concentrating day by day, to be in good physical shape and ready to play in the first league game." 

The youth, from his own experience, knows the centre-back position in the defence is not easy, because of the style other teams play. "You have to be very fast to play," he said. 

EXPERIENCE WITH ENRIQUE

Bartra remembers the coach well from his time with Barca B. 

"My first two years as a professional were with Luis Enrique and I have good memories. I think that hunger grabbed him, with every practice and each week you have to want to win."

With Enrique, "you have to give the maximum and although I was in the reserves and had more minutes, I could not relax and had to make it to the next level."

MORE MATURE

Returning to his own case, Bartra was not concerned about the new recruits. 

"As the weeks go by, it's important to think about working well in training and achieving your best level, regardless of whether or not someone new comes." 

Bartra also talked about the situation of Xavi Hernandez. "He has helped me a lot personally and it would be bad news if he left, but whatever he decides he deserves great respect."

He is also pleased with Luis Suarez's arrival. 

"Leo is certainly the best and with Luis Suarez, who has shown he is among the best in the PRemier League, we have a very complete strike force, with different skills. As well we have Neymar, Pedro and Gerard Deulofeu. We will see where we finish in the table."